Self-developing camera

ABSTRACT

A self-developing camera for use with a film pack including a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation in a container. The camera comprises a film holder for holding the pack with the forwardmost film unit located in position for exposure, a pair of driven processing rollers for advancing an exposed film unit from the camera while distributing a processing liquid within the camera and a film feeder for advancing an exposed film unit from exposure position within the container into the bite of the processing rollers. The camera includes controls for arresting the rotation of the processing rollers with the trailing end of a film unit engaged therebetween so as to retain the trailing end of the extended film unit within the camera and provide the operator with an opportunity to grasp and remove the film completely from the camera. In a preferred embodiment of the camera, the controls also reverse the direction of rotation of the rollers to return the film unit to a storage position within the camera behind the film pack and a door permitting the film unit to be withdrawn. The film holder is moved forwardly out of the path of return movement of the film unit and then rearwardly to return the film pack to exposure position.

llnited States Patent Lan [54] SELF-DEVELOPING CAMERA [72] lnventor:Edwin H. Land, Cambridge, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

Mass.

[22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1970 [21] Appl. No.1 65,053

[52] U.S. Cl. ..95/13, 95/89 R [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 17/50 [58] Field ofSearch ..95/13, 14,89

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,545,357 12/1970 Erlichman..95/13 3,416,863 12/1968 Ralston ..355/110 3,537,370 11/1970 Wareham..95/13 3,447,437 6/1969 Tiffany ..95/13 Primary Examiner-Samuel S.Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard M. Sheer Attorney-Brown and Mikulkaand Robert E. Corb 5 7 ABSTRACT A self-developing camera for use with afilm pack in- [451 Aug. 15, 1972 from the camera while distributing aprocessing liquid within the camera and a film feeder for advancing anexposed film unit from exposure position within the container into thebite of the processing rollers. The camera includes controls forarresting the rotation of the processing rollers with the trailing endof a film unit engaged therebetween so as to retain the trailing end ofthe extended film unit within the camera and provide the operator withan opportunity to grasp and remove the film completely from the camera.In a preferred embodiment of the camera, the controls also reverse thedirection of rotation of the rollers to return the film unit to astorage position within the camera behind the film pack and a doorpermitting the film unit to be withdrawn. The film holder is movedforwardly out of the path of return movement of the film unit and thenrearwardly to return the film pack to exposure position.

22 Claims,.7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAus 15 m2 SHEET 2 OF 6 NQI vINVENTOR. EDWIN H. LAND mm cmaf m nd @M 6 6295% A T TORNE Y5 PATENTEDAus15 I972 sum 3 0F 6 llllmn FIG.3

l lllll 'iill l I 53 N g INVENTOR.

EDWIN H. LAND E/49m @204 mm A TTORNE Y5 PATENTEDAUB 15 1912 INVENTOR.

EDWlN H. LAND WEE 7/ 5 8 14 and 772.4

PATENTEDAus 15 I972 SHEET 6 OF 6 INVENTOR.

EDWIN H. LAND w 29M and mm weal flaw/ct 52 64 AT TORNE Y5SELF-DEVELOPING CAMERA The present invention is concerned with aselfdeveloping camera of the type disclosed, for example, in US. Pat.No. 3,447,437, dated June 3, 1969, and in the copending U.S. applicationof Edwin H. Land et al Ser. No. 29,753, filed Apr. 22, 1970, as acontinuation of application Ser. No. 655,850 filed July 25, 1967.Cameras of this type are adapted for use with a film pack comprising aplurality of self-developing film units arranged in stacked relation ina container and generally include film holding means for positioning thefilm pack within the camera with the forwardmost film unit located inexposure position; a pair of juxtaposed processing rollers and drivemeans for rotating the rollers to advance a film unit therebetweendirectly from the camera while distributing a processing liquid withinthe film unit; and means for feeding an exposed film unit from exposureposition within the pack into the bite of the processing rollers. Suchcameras are preferably automatic, their operation requiring only thatthe operator press a button to initiate an exposure and processing cycleduring which a film unit is exposed, processed and ejected from thecamera and the exposure system of the camera is placed in readiness fora subsequent exposure.

Film units adapted for use with cameras of the type described generallycomprise a photosensitive element including a layer of photosensitivematerial adapted to be exposed to produce an image, a second elementpreferably including an image-receptive layer superposed with aphotosensitive element and a container of processing liquid preferablyadapted, when distributed between the superposed elements, to form avisible transfer image in an image-receptive layer sandwiched betweenthe elements. In the preferred form of film unit, the second or theimage-receptive element is transparent, the photosensitive element isopaque and the photosensitive layer is exposed through the secondelement. The processing liquid includes agents for preventingimage-forming exposure of the photosensitive element almost immediatelyas the liquid is distributed between the two elements, by forming alight opaque layer between the second element and the photosensitivelayer and/or desensitizing the photosensitive layer, This makes itpossible to advance the unit between the processing rollers directlyfrom the camera into the light thereby substantially reducing the sizeand complexity of the camera by virtue of the elimination of means forenclosing the film in a lightfree environment during liquid spreadingand image formation.

In addition to the aforementioned advantages, advancement of the filmunit between the processing rollers directly from the camera into thelight poses the problem of what to do with the film unit that isadvanced from the camera. The entire exposure and processing cycle maytake only a fraction of a second and this, coupled with the fact thatthe camera may be substantially automatic in its operation, enables theoperator to make a number of exposures in rapid succession. This problemof how to handle each film unit as it emerges from the camera is furthercomplicated by the fact that in the preferred form of camera shown anddescribed herein and in the aforementioned patent and application, thefilm unit emerges from the side of the camera facing the subject closelyadjacent the lends and at an acute angle with respect to the lens axisso as to partially block the cone of light entering the lens.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedself-developing camera of the type described including a pair ofprocessing rollers for distributing a processing liquid within a filmunit while advancing the film unit between the rollers and directly fromthe camera, and adapted to retain the trailing end of the film unitwithin the camera by automatically arresting the rotation of the rollerswith the trailing end of the film unit engaged therebetween.

Other objects of the invention are: to provide a camera of the typedescribed including means for reversing the direction of rotation of theprocessing rollers when a film unit has passed almost completely betweenthe rollers and from the camera and retracting the film unit into thecamera into a storage position therein; to provide a camera of the typedescribed including means for retracting a film unit, a film holder forsupporting a film unit in position for exposure and means for moving thefilm holder out of the path of return movement of the film unit; and toprovide a camera as described that is fully automatic in its operationrequiring only that operator initiate each exposure and processing cyclethereby making possible the exposure and processing of a number of filmunits in rapid succession.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-developing camera embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the camera of FIG. 1 shown loadedwith a film pack;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary sectional views illustrating oneembodiment of components of the camera in operative positions thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the camera componentsof 3 4 and 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, illustratinganother embodiment of the camera; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the components of FIG. 6.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings wherein there isshown a self-developing camera embodying the invention. The camera,designated 10, is of the same basic type as shown in the aforementionedpatent and application and comprises a housing having a rear sectiongenerally designated 1 1 including a rear wall 12, outer side walls 14and an end wall 16; a forward section generally designated 17 includinga forward wall 18 and enclosing a lens and shutter assembly; and a mainsection- 19 mounting and joined with the forward and rear sections. Mainhousing section 19 includes side walls having rear portions 20 locatedinside and closely adjacent outer side walls 14 and forward portions 21convergent to a trapezoidal shaped wall 22 and a connecting wall 24extending from wall 22 to forward housing section 17 Rear housingsection 11 is movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the main andforward housing sections to provide an expansible chamber at the rear ofthe camera.

The camera includes an exposure system comprising a lens 26 mounted inforward housing section 17 and a shutter 28 preferably of the type whichautomatically controls the exposure parameters in accordance with thelighting conditions of the subject. The exposure system is designed toexpose a photosensitive element positioned within the rear of the camerahousing substantially in a plane intersecting the lens axis at an acuteangle, and includes a mirror 30 mounted on the inside of wall 22 forreflecting light from lens 26 toward the photosensitive element locatedin position for exposure and for reversing the image formed by the lenson the photosensitive element.

Camera is adapted for use with a photographic film pack of the typedescribed and claimed in the copending US. application of IrvingErlichman, Ser. No. 766,548, filed Oct. 10, I968. The film pack, asshown in FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of film units designated 32,arranged in stacked relation in a container 34 having a rear wall 36,forward wall 38, tapered side walls 40, a leading end wall 42, and atrailing end wall 44. Forward wall 38 is formed with a rectangularexposure aperture 46 surrounded by a lip 48, and leading end wall 42 isformed with an exit slot 50 through which the forwardmost film unit canbe moved, leading edge foremost, from the container following exposure.

Each film unit 32 preferably comprise a photosensitive sheet 52 and asecond or image-receiving sheet 54 secured in face-to-face relationtherewith, and a rupturable container 56 of processing liquid locatedadjacent the leading edges of the sheets in position to dispense itsliquid contents between the sheets in response to the application ofcompressive pressure to the container. The photosensitive sheet ispreferably opaque to actinic light and the second sheet is transparentto permit image-forming exposure of the photosensitive sheet through thesecond sheet and viewing of an image formed between the sheets. Theprocessing liquid is adapted to form a visible transfer image betweenthe sheets when distributed in a thin layer therebetween and preferablycontains white opacifying agent for forming a layer between the transferimage and the exposed photosensitive'material providing a background forviewing the transfer image.

The photosensitive sheet of the forwardmost film unit 32 is located inposition for exposure against the inner or rear surface of forward wall38 of the film pack container 34, suitable resilient means (not shown)being provided within the film pack container for urging the stack offilm units 32 toward the forward wall. The camera includes means forholding the film pack container so that the photosensitive sheet of theforwardmost film unit is supported in proper position for exposure tolight transmitted by lens 26 and reflected from mirror 30. In the formshown in FIGS. 2 through 5, these means for supporting the film packcontainer comprise a chassis or frame 58 including spaced side members60 and 62 coupled to one another at one end and at their opposite endsby a forward wall member 68, an end wall member and a rear wall member72. The spacing between side member 60 and 62 is equal to the width of afilm pack container while the spacing between the facing edges offorward wall member 64 and 68 is substantially equal to the spacingbetween the outer edges of the portions of lip 48 at the ends ofexposure aperture 46 in the forward wall of a film pack container 34.Thus a film pack container engaged between side members 60 and 62 issupported with its forward wall 38 against the rear surfaces of forwardwall members 64 and 68 and will be precisely positioned for exposure ofthe forwardmost film unit. A spring 74 is mounted on rear wall member 66for urging the film pack container forwardly against the forward wallmembers of the chassis and is spaced from forward wall member 64 by adistance sufficient to permit the lip 48 near the thicker end of thefilm pack container to move between the forward and rear wall membersinto exposure position.

The camera is preferably electrically operated by a battery contained inthe film pack container held in chassis 58 and includes resilientcontacts 75 for making electrical connection with the terminals of thebattery mounted on the rear wall of film pack container 34.

Processing of a film unit 32 following the exposure thereof isaccomplished by moving the film unit, container 56 foremost, between apair of juxtaposed processing applying members adapted to applycompressive pressure to the film unit commencing with the rupturablecontainer 56 to eject the fluid contents of the container between thephotosensitive and second sheets 52 and 54 and then spread the liquidtoward the trailing end of the film unit to form a uniform thin layerbetween the sheets. In the form shown, the processing members comprise apair of processing rollers 76 and 78 mounted in juxtaposition with theiraxes substantially in'a common plane near forward wall member 64 inposition to engage a film unit as. the latter is advanced container 56foremost from container 34 through exit slot 50. Roller 76 is mounted ina fixed position while roller 78 is mounted for limited movement in theplane ofthe axes of the rollers toward and away from roller 76 and isbias toward roller 76. Processing of an exposed film unit isaccomplished by feeding the foremost film unit from exposure positioninto the bite of processing rollers 76 and 78 and rotating theprocessing rollers to advance the film unit therebetween from the camerathrough a passage 80 in forward wall 18. The camera includes an electricmotor 82 coupled, to rollers 76 and 78 through a transmission forrotating the rollers to advance a film unit from the camera throughpassage 80.

The camera includes means for feeding the foremost film unit, followingexposure thereof, from film pack container 34 through exit slot 50 intothe bite of rollers 76 and 78. In the form shown in FIGS. 3 through 5,these film feeding means include an elongated link 84 mounted forreciprocating motion on side member 60 and a resilient (cantileverspring) film engagement member 86 mounted on link 84. Film engagementmember 86 includes a rearwardly extending engagement section 88 adaptedto project through an opening 90 formed at the juncture of forward wall38 and trailing end wall 44 of film pack container 34 into engagementwith the trailing edge of the forwardmost film unit. In this waymovement of link 84 toward the processing rollers is effective to causeengagement section 88 to engage the trailing edge of the forwardmostfilm unit and movement of the latter into the bite of the processingrollers.

The camera includes means for reciprocating link 84 and in the formshown, these means comprise a rotary cam 92, and a cam follower lever 94pivotally mounted at one end and having an O-shaped medial portion 96engaged around cam 92 and a free end section on which is mounted a stud9,8 engaged for sliding motion in an open-ended channel 100 in the endportion of link 84. By virtue of this construction, rotation of cam 92through 180 is effective to reciprocate link 84 from the initialposition shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in broken lines in thesame figure and thereby move a film unit into the bite of processingrollers 76 and 78. Continued rotation of cam 92 rotates through 360 iseffective to reposition the engagement section 88 of the film engagementmember 86 in readiness for and advancing the next succeeding film unitinto the bite of the processing rollers. Cam 92 is preferably driven byan energy storage device such as a conventional spring motor shown asincluding a shaft 102 coupled t0 cam 92 around which is coiled a spring104 coupled to motor 82 through a suitable transmission adapted tooverwind spring 104 sufficiently to insure rotation of cam 92 through360. A simple latch arrangement is provided for releasably retaining cam92 against rotation and in a preferred form the latch, may be releasedmanually by the operator immediately subsequent to exposure andpreferably as part of the same operation, (e. by depressing a button)which releases the shutter to make an exposure and starts the motor toinitiate an operating cycle in which the exposed film unit is processedand the shutter is reset to make a subsequent exposure.

At the beginning of a processing cycle, motor 82 is energized tocommence the rotation of processing rollers 76 and 78 and cam 92 isreleased to rotate and thereby advance the leading edge of the container56 of the forwardmost film unit into the bite of rotating processingrollers which continue the movement of the film unit substantially inthe same plane from the camera housing through opening 80 in forwardwall 18. As previously noted in this application, and in theaforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,447,437 and application Ser. No. 29,753the processing liquid distributed between the transparentimage-receiving sheet and the light-opaque, photosensitive sheetcontains an opacifying agent and/or a desensitizing agent which permitthe film unit to be advanced directly into the light almost immediatelyas the liquid is spread. This obviates the necessity for a light-tightprocessing chamber for enclosing the film unit until such time asprocessing has advanced to the extent that the photosensitive element isno longer light-sensitive, or exposure of the film unit to light willnot adversely effect image formation. However advancement of the filmunit directly from between the processing rollers and from the camerapresents the problem of what to do with the film unit as it emerges fromthe camera.

In the preferred camera shown in the drawings, rollers 76 and 78 aredriven by an electric motor 82 and the entire exposure and processingcycle is substantially automatic requiring only that the operator aimand focus the camera and initiate an exposure and processing cycleduring which the camera is placed in readiness to perform a subsequentexposure and processing cycle. Thus, it is now possible to makeexposures and process film units in very rapid succession as therepetition rate is limited only by the time required to expose a filmunit, advance it between the processing rollers and reset the camera fora subsequent exposure, and all of these functions can be accomplished ina small fraction of a second, particularly if camera resetting andprocessing are performed simultaneously.

While the ability to make a number of photographs in rapid succession isobviously an advantage over prior art cameras, the problem of handlingfilm units emerging from the camera in rapid succession is presented.The present invention accomplishes its stated objects in providing anovel and improved solution to the problem of what to do with a singlefilm unit as it emerges from the camera of a number of film units beingadvanced in rapid succession between a pair of processing rollers.

The camera structure of the invention provides alternative solutions tothe aforementioned problems. The

first of these is to arrest the movement from the camera of a singleunit with the trailing edge portion of the film unit engaged between thepressure-applying members and the major portion of the film unitprojecting from the camera. Thus, the film unit is in effect, attachedto the camera preventing it from falling and giving the operator anopportunity to grasp the film unit and withdraw the remaining, trailingend portion from the camera. The alternative mode of operation of thecamera, that -is, the mode employed to expose and process a number offilm units in rapid succession, is to reverse the direction of rotationof the processing rollers with the trailing edge portion of each filmunit engaged therebetween and thereby return the film unit to a storageposition within the camera. This latter operation requires only a smallfraction of a second so that the cycling rate for the camera remainsvery fast and each exposure and processing cycle, including returning anexposed and processed film unit to a storage chamber within the camera,may require substantially less than a second to complete.

In the form of camera shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, rotation of theprocessing rollers to advance a film unit from the camera is arrested byand in response to engagement of the trailing edge portion of the filmunit between the processing rollers. This is accomplished by providingmeans responsive to increased separation of the processing rollers whichoccurs when the trailing edge portion of the film unit is engagedtherebetween. It is the practice in self-developing film units of thetype disclosed, for example, in the U. S. Pat. application of Richard J.Chen, Ser. No. 756,017, filed Aug. 28, 1968 and now US. Pat. No.3,607,285, to provide a quantity of processing liquid slightly in excessof the amount required to process the film unit and to provide means atthe trailing edge of the film unit for collecting and retaining excessprocessing liquid. These last-mentioned means usually take the form ofspacing elements for separating the processing rollers to provide spacewithin the film unit for collecting and retaining the excess liquid. Thecompressed (by the rollers) thickness of the film unit in the region ofthe spacing elements is greater than the compressed thickness of anyother portion of the film unit so that the spacing between thepressure-applying members resulting from this additional thickness ofthe film unit may be employed to arrest and also reverse the directionof rotation of the processing rollers.

The camera comprises a fixed frame or chassis 108 for supportingoperating components thereof including the processing rollers 76 and 78,cam 92, cam follower 94 and the spring motor for driving the cam. Theaforementioned means, responsive to engagement of the trailing edgeportion of a film unit between processing rollers 76 and 78 forarresting rotation of the processing rollers are also mounted on chassis108 and include a lever 110 engaged with one of two shafts 112 extendingfrom one of the ends of processing roller 78 and mounting the processingroller for rotation. A conventional switch 114 may be provided in themotor circuit for interrupting the flow of current to the motor and ismounted on the chassis in position to be engaged and actuated by shaft112 when roller 78 is displaced rearwardly as the thickened, trailingedge portion of a film unit enters the bite of the rollers. Switch 114,in the mode of operation of the camera in which the operator withdrawsthe processed film unit completely from the camera prior to making asubsequent exposure, may also be employed to terminate the exposure,processing and shutter resetting cycle and prevent initiation of anothercycle untilthe trailing edge portion of the film unit has been manuallywithdrawn from the camera. y

In the mode of operation of the camera in which the film unit isretracted and moved into a storage position within the camera, switch114 is utilized to reverse the polarity of the current to the motor andthereby reverse the direction of rotation of processing rollers 76 and78 when the trailing edge portion of the film unit is engaged betweenthe rollers.

The storage position of a processed film unit is within the camerahousing to the rear of the film pack container and holder therefore,between the film pack container and rear wall 12. Thus, in order toretract a film unit between the processing rollers and move it intostorage position as shown in FIG. 4, it is necessary to displace thefilm pack container out of the path of return movement of the film unit.Means for performing this function include a stud 116 on side member 60of chassis 58 at the end of the chassis furthest from the processingrollers for mounting the chassis for pivotal movement forwardly from theexposure position shown in FIG. 3 to a displaced position shown in FIG.4, in which the edge of rear wall member 66 closest the processingrollers, is located forwardly of the path of return movement of a filmunit between processing rollers 76 and 78.

Means are provided for displacing frame 58 and the film pack container34 held therein forwardly to their displaced position and comprise, forexample, resilient means in the form of a torsion spring 118 adapted topivot the chassis in a clockwise direction. The chassis is retained inexposure position against the bias of spring 118 by a latch member 120pivotally mounted on chassis 108 and biased into latching engagementwith a stud 122 on one of side members 60 and 62 of chassis 58 by atorsion spring 124. Latch member 120 is biased by spring 124 intoengagement with lever 110 so that when the latter is pivoted in aclockwise direction in response to displacement of processing roller 78,the lever will coact with latch member 120 pivoting the latter in acounterclockwise direction from engagement with stud 122 freeing chassis58 to pivot forwardly under the bias of spring 118 into its displacedposition I out of the path of return movement of a film unit.

Spring 118 is designed to provide for the very rapid displacement of thefilm pack container; however, the invention also contemplates theprovision of a slight delay between the stopping of rotation of theprocessing rollers and the commencement of rotation of the processingrollers in the opposite direction to allow time for the film packcontainer to be displaced out of the path of return movement of the filmunit. Conventional switching means are available to perform this delayfunction.

In the operation of the camera, the processing rollers are rotated untilthe film unit has been moved from engagement between the rollers atwhich point the end of the film unit is no longer gripped betweenrollers but may still be located within the bite of the rollers suchthat rearward displacement of the leading end of the film unit couldresult in damage to the film unit when chassis 58 and the film packcontainer are displaced rearwardly into exposure position. Accordinglymeans are provided for moving the leading end of the film unit from thebite of the processing rolls to permit the rearward displacement of thefilm unit. These means include at least one and preferably two pushers126 each pivotally mounted on frame 108 closely adjacent the ends of theprocessing rollers. Each pusher 126 includes a generally C-shaped arm128 adapted to extend closely adjacent the ends of processing rollersbetween a shaft 112 and one of shafts 130 on which roller 76 ispivotally mounted. The length of the rollers is slightly less than thewidth of a film unit so that the ends of arms 128 will be engaged by theleading edge of a film unit pivoting the pushers in a clockwisedirection as a film unit is moved from exposure position into the biteof processing rollers. Pushers 126 are biased by springs 132 in acounterclockwise direction so as to ride on the forward marginalsurfaces of a film engaged between the rollers and engage and push thefilm unit inwardly beyond the bite of the processing rollers upon returnmovement of the film unit from engagement with the rollersvided forpivoting the cam lever in a counterclockwise direction in engagementwith stud 122 to displace chassis 58 rearwardly into exposure position.Cam 136 is preferably driven by a spring motor including a spring 142coiled around a shaft 144 and coupled to cam 136 by a transmissionincluding gears 146, 148, and 150. The spring 142 which drives cam 136is adapted to be tensioned in the same manner as spring 104 and for thispurpose, is coupled by a conventional transmission to electric motor 82.In the preferred form of camera, springs 104 and 142 are coupled to themotor in such a way that one of the springs, e. g. 142, is tensionedduring outward movement of a film unit and the other spring, e. g. 104,is tensioned during return movement of the film unit thereby evening outthe load on the motor.

Control means are provided for releasing cam 136 for rotation when areturning film unit has been moved from between the processing rollersand include an elongated latch lever 152 pivotally mounted near one endand including a shoulder 154 adapted to engage a shoulder 156 on cam 136for preventing clockwise rotation of the cam under the bias of spring142. The free-end section, designated 158, of latch lever 152 extendsinto the path of movement of an end section 160 of pusher 126. Latchlever 152 is biased (in a counterclockwise direction) into engagementwith cam 136 and end section 158 of the latch lever is tapered to permitend section 160 of pusher 126 to deflect the freeend section of latchlever to one side of the path of movement of end section 160 when thepusher is pivoted in a clockwise direction in response to the outwardmovement of a.film unit in engagement with the C-shaped arm 128 of thepusher between the processing rollers. By virtue of this constructionand arrangement, as the pusher rotates in a counterclockwise directionmoving the leading end of a film unit inwardly (to the right) frombetween the processing rollers, end section 160 of the pusher engagesend section 158 of latch lever 152 pivoting the latter in a clockwisedirection disengaging shoulder 154 from shoulder 156 on the cam torelease the cam for rotation through 360. Thus chassis 58 and the filmpack container held therewithin will be returned to exposure positionautomatically immediately as the leading end of a film unit has beenmoved beyond the bite of the processing rollers. Open ended channel 100in link 84 permits disengagement and reengagement of the link with stud98 on cam follower 94.

In another embodiment of the camera shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the controlmeans for initiating movement of the film-holding chassis 58 areactuated by means located in the path of movement of a film unit andadapted to be engaged and actuated by a film unit. Another majordifference in this latter embodiment is found in the means for movingthe film-holding chassis which, in this case, is resiliently biased intoexposure position and driven into a displaced position to permit returnmovement of a film unit. The other components of this embodiment of thecamera may be substantially as shown and described.

The means for displacing chassis 58 forwardly from an exposure positioninclude a rotary cam 162 for driving a stud 164 engaged in a slot 166 inthe medial portion of an elongated cam follower lever 168 pivotallymounted at one end and engaged at its other end behind stud 122 on oneof side members 60 and 62 of chassis 58. Cam 162 is driver in acounterclockwise direction by a spring motor such as previouslydescribed (in connection with earns 92 and 136) and is restrainedagainst rotation by a spring biased latch 170 adapted to engage ashoulder 172 on the cam. Thus when cam 162 is released for rotation, camfollower lever 168 will be pivoted in a clockwise direction inengagement with stud 122 on chassis 58 moving the chassis forwardly outof the path of return movement of a film unit.

The control means responsive to engagement by a film unit for releasingcam 162 for rotation include a V- shaped film engagement lever 174having arms 176 and 178 and mounted for pivoting and linear movement ona release member 180, in turn mounted for sliding movement between guidepins 182 substantially in the direction of movement of film unitsbetween processing rollers 76 and 78. Release member 180 includes amedial section 184 engaged for sliding movement between guide pins 182and includes a slot 186 for pivotably and slidably receiving a stud 188mounted on film engagement lever 174; a latch arm 190 extendinggenerally at a right angle to medial section 184; and a release arm I92extending from the opposite end of medial section 184 into engagementwith latch 170. Release member 180 is biased in the direction of outwardmovement of a film unit, i. e. to the left viewing FIG. 6, by spring 194attached to latch arm 190 and is movable linearly in the oppositedirection to cause release arm 192 to engage and pivot latch 170releasing cam 162 for rotation.

Film engagement lever 174, being mounted on release member 180,-is alsomovable in the direction of movement of a film unit and is biased forcounterclockwise rotation relative to release member 180 by a torsionspring 196 tending to pivot arm 176 rearwardly into the path of movementof a film unit between rollers 76 and 78. In the operation of thecamera, a film unit, as i is advanced from film container 34 throughexit slot toward the bite of rollers 76 and 78, engages and pivots arm176 of film engagement lever 174 forwardly in a clockwise direction. Asthe film unit moves between the rollers, arm 176 will continue to rideon the forward surface of the film unit until the trailing edge portionof the film unit is engaged between rolls 76 and 78. Arm 176 includes acurved rear edge section 198 for riding on the forward surface of themargin of a film unit and a notch 200 in the end of arm 176 for engagingthe trailing edge of a film unit during return movement of the film unitso that the latter is effective to displace lever 174 in the directionof return movement of the film unit, i. e. to the right, pivoting latch170 to release cam 162 for rotation. Rotation of processing rollers 76and 78 may be arrested with the trailing edge portion of a film unitengaged between the rollers in response to the spacing apart of therollers utilizing a lever and switch 114 such as previously described,or by providing a switch (not shown) adapted to be actuated in responseto the counterclockwise rotation of lever 174 which occurs when thetrailing edge of a film unit has been advanced between the processingrollers beyond curved edge section 198.

As the film unit is being retracted, i. e. moved to the right, cam 162is released for rotation driving follower lever 168 and stud 122forwardly to the displaced position shown in broken lines in FIG. 6. Thefree end of arm 178 is designed to function as a cam follower adapted toengage a forwardly inclined, fixed cam surface 202 tending to displacestud 188 rearwardly during movement of lever 174 to the right, until thefree end of arm 178 becomes engaged in a recess 204 and movement oflever 174 to the right (the direction of return movement of the film) isarrested. At this point, the trailing edge of a returning film unitbecomes disengaged from notch 200 in arm 176 passing behind the arm inengagement with curved edge section 198 preventing counterclockwiserotation of lever 174 'so that the end of arm 178 is prevented frompivoting out of engagement in recess 204 and in this manner, releasemember 180 is prevented from moving to the left under the bias of spring194 as long as a portion of a film unit is engaged between theprocessing rollers.

As release member 180 is moved to the right by a returning film unit,latch arm 190 is displaced to a position in alignment with stud 122 andfunctions to engage the stud in the forwardly displaced position ofchassis 58 and retain the chassis in its forwardly displaced posi-- tionas long as a film unit engaged between the processing rollers preventsthe counterclockwise rotation of engagement lever 174. When a filmunithas been moved (returned) beyond the bite of rollers 76 and 78, as whenpropelled by pusher 126, lever 174 is then free to pivotcounterclockwise disengaging arm 178 from recess 204 permitting lever174 and release member 180 to move to the left thereby disengaging latcharm 190 from stud 122 on chassis 58. This permits the chassis to returnto exposure position under the bias of spring (not shown) similar, forexample, to spring 1 18 but acting in the opposite direction.

The camera of the invention is structured to permit loading of a filmpack container into chassis 58 and to permit withdrawal of an exposedand processed film unit from a storage position behind the film packcontainer between the latter and rear wall 12. In the form shown, thisstructure includes a door 208 in rear wall 12 having a width equal tothe width of chassis 58 and the components mounted on the sides thereof,preferably mounted for pivotal motion about an axis that is the same asthe pivotal axis of chassis 58 or is closely adjacent thereto. Door 208is pivotable from a closed position wherein it is retained by a latch210, to an open position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. The door isdimensioned to permit chassis 58 to be pivoted rearwardly from exposureposition to a position outside of the camera housing shown in brokenlines in FIG. 3, to the rear of rear wall 12 at which a film packcontainer may be introduced between forward wall member 64 and rear wallmember 66. The open-ended slot 100 in link 84 permits the link, which ismounted on chassis 58, to be moved rearwardly with the chassis fromengagement with stud 98 and to be returned to engagement with the studafter loading of a film pack into the chassis and return of the latterto exposure position.

In the embodiment of the camera shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in which the filmpack holding chassis 58 is biased rearwardly by a spring and drivenforwardly into a displaced position by engagement of cam follower lever168 with stud 122 on the chassis, means in the form of a rotary cam 212are provided for displacing (by bending) lever 168 out of the path ofrearward movement of stud 122 to permit rearward movement of the chassisfrom its exposure position into its leading position.

It will be noted from the foregoing that the invention provides anautomatic self-developing camera adapted to be employed to producephotographic prints singly at substantial intervals or in very rapidsuccession. The prints as they are produced emerge from the camera andmay be withdrawn and examined immediately or they may be returned to astorage position within the camera automatically and removed whendesired.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matters contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shell be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. ln photographic apparatus including a pair of juxtaposedpressure-applying members movable to advance a photographic film unitbetween said members part way from said apparatus while distributing aliquid processing agent within the film unit, the improvementcomprising, in combination:'

control means for arresting the motion of said pressure-applying memberswith the trailing end of the film unit engaged between said members andthe major portion of said film unit extending from said apparatus, saidcontrol means including means responsive to separation of saidpressure-applying members for sensing the engagement of the trailing endsection of a film unit between said pressure-applying members to arrestthe motion thereof.

2. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said controlmeans include means for reversing the direction of motion of saidpressure-applying members to retract the film unit into said'apparatusand advance said film unit into a storage position therein.

3. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 including electric motorfor driving said pressure-applying members to advance a film unittherebetween and wherein said control means include means for reversingthe polarity of the current energizing said motor.

4. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 including holding meansfor supporting a photographic film unit in position for exposure andguide means for guiding a film unit into a storage position behind saidexposure position during retraction of said film unit into saidapparatus.

5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said holdingmeans include means for supporting a container of stacked photographicfilm units with the forward-most film unit located in position forexposure and said guide means are adapted to guide a film unit into astorage position behind said container.

6. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 including means at therear thereof providing access to the interior of said apparatus topermit removal of a film unit located in storage position therein.

7. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 including firstdisplacement means for moving said holding means forwardly from exposureposition to permit the return movement of a film unit in a storageposition behind saidholding means during retraction of said film unit.

8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein saidpressure-applying members include a pair of juxtaposed rollers rotatablein engagement with a film unit to advance said film unit between saidrollers and said control means include means for initiating the forwarddisplacement of said holding means and reversing the direction ofrotation of said rollers to'advance a film unit, engaged between saidrollers, into a storage position behind said holding means.

9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including meansfor returning said holding means to said exposure position followingretum'movement of a film unit into storage position.

10. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said firstdisplacement means include first resilient means biasing said holdingmeans forwardly and said control means include means for releasing saidholding means for movement under the bias of said resilient means.

11. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 10 further includingsecond displacement means for returning said holding means to saidexposure position against the bias of said first resilient means.

12. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said controlmeans include means responsive to movement of a film unit fromengagement with said pressure-applying members for actuating said seconddisplacement means to return said holding means to said exposureposition.

13. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said seconddisplacement means include a second spring for acting against saidresilient means to return said holding means to said exposure position.

14. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 further includingdrive means for moving said pressureapplying members to move a filmunit' engaged therebetween and means for tensioning said spring duringmovement of a film unit by said pressure-applying members.

15. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including meansmounted on said holding means for advancing an exposed film unit fromexposure position into engagement with said pressure-applying members.

16. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein saidpressure-applying members include a pair of juxtaposed rollers rotatablein engagement with a film unit to move said film unit between saidrollers, said apparatus further including impeller means for engagingand moving the end section of a film unit toward storage position awayfrom the bite of said rollers following movement of the film unit by therollers from engagement therebetween.

l7. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said impellermeans include a movable filmengaging member extending into the path ofmovement of a film unit between said pressure-applying members and meansfor biasing said film-engaging member in a direction opposite to thedirection of movement of a film unit from said apparatus.

l8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 17 further includingholding means for supporting a photographic film unit in position forexposure and first displacement means for moving said holding meansforwardly from exposure position to permit the return movement of a filmunit into storage position behind said holding means during retractionof a film unit.

19. Photographic apparatus as defined 1n clalm 18 wherein said firstdisplacement means include a first spring for driving said firstdisplacement means to move said holding means forwardly from exposureposition.

20. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 19 further includingsecond displacement means for retuning said holding means to saidexposure position.

21. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said seconddisplacement means includes a second spring for driving said seconddisplacement means and said apparatus further includes drive means foroperating said pressure-applying members to move film unit therebetweenand v tensioning one of said springs during movement of a film unitbetween said pressure-applying members.

22. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said impellermeans include means responsive to movement of said film-engaging memberin the direction of return movement of a film unit for initiating theoperation of said second displacement means upon movement of a film unitby said impeller means from engagement with said pressure-applyingmembers.

1. In photographic apparatus including a pair of juxtaposedpressure-applying members movable to advance a photographic film unitbetween said members part way from said apparatus while distributing aliquid processing agent within the film unit, the improvementcomprising, in combination: control means for arresting the motion ofsaid pressure-applying members with the trailing end of the film unitengaged between said members and the major portion of said film unitextending from said apparatus, said control means including meansresponsive to separation of said pressure-applying members for sensingthe engagement of the trailing end section of a film unit between saidpressure-applying members to arrest the motion thereof.
 2. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means include meansfor reversing the direction of motion of said pressure-applying membersto retract the film unit into said apparatus and advance said film unitinto a storage position therein.
 3. Photographic apparatus as defined inclaim 2 including electric motor for driving said pressure-applyingmembers to advance a film unit therebetween and wherein said controlmeans include means for reversing the polarity of the current energizingsaid motor.
 4. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 includingholding means for supporting a photographic film unit in position forexposure and guide means for guiding a film unit into a storage positionbehind said exposure position during retraction of said film unit intosaid apparatus.
 5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 whereinsaid holding means include means for supporting a container of stackedphotographic film units with the forward-most film unit located inposition for exposure and said guide means are adapted to guide a filmunit into a storage position behind said container.
 6. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 4 including means at the rear thereofproviding access to the interior of said apparatus to permit removal ofa film unit located in storage position therein.
 7. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 4 including first displacement means formoving said holding means forwardly from exposure position to permit thereturn movement of a film unit in a storage position behind said holdingmeans during retraction of said film unit.
 8. Photographic apparatus asdefined in claim 7 wherein said pressure-applying members include a pairof juxtaposed rollers rotatable in engagement with a film unit toadvance said film unit between said rollers and said control meansinclude means for initiating the forward displacement of said holdingmeans and reversing the direction of rotation of said rollers to advancea film unit, engaged between said rollers, into a storage positionbehind said holding means.
 9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim7 further including means for returning said holding means to saidexposure position following return movement of a film unit into storageposition.
 10. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein saidfirst displacement means include first resilient means biasing saidholding means forwardly and said control means include means forreleasing said holding means for movement under the bias of saidresilient means.
 11. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 10further including second displacement means for returning said holdingmeans to said exposure position against the bias of said first resilientmeans.
 12. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein saidcontrol means include means responsive to movement of a film unit fromengagement with said pressure-applying members for actuating said seconddisplacement means to return said holding means to said exposureposition.
 13. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein saidsecond displacement means include a second spring for acting againstsaid resilient means to return said holding means to said exposureposition.
 14. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 furtherincluding drive means for moving said pressure-applying members to movea film unit engaged therebetween and means for tensioning said spRingduring movement of a film unit by said pressure-applying members. 15.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including meansmounted on said holding means for advancing an exposed film unit fromexposure position into engagement with said pressure-applying members.16. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein saidpressure-applying members include a pair of juxtaposed rollers rotatablein engagement with a film unit to move said film unit between saidrollers, said apparatus further including impeller means for engagingand moving the end section of a film unit toward storage position awayfrom the bite of said rollers following movement of the film unit by therollers from engagement therebetween.
 17. Photographic apparatus asdefined in claim 16 wherein said impeller means include a movablefilm-engaging member extending into the path of movement of a film unitbetween said pressure-applying members and means for biasing saidfilm-engaging member in a direction opposite to the direction ofmovement of a film unit from said apparatus.
 18. Photographic apparatusas defined in claim 17 further including holding means for supporting aphotographic film unit in position for exposure and first displacementmeans for moving said holding means forwardly from exposure position topermit the return movement of a film unit into storage position behindsaid holding means during retraction of a film unit.
 19. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said first displacement meansinclude a first spring for driving said first displacement means to movesaid holding means forwardly from exposure position.
 20. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 19 further including second displacementmeans for retuning said holding means to said exposure position. 21.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said seconddisplacement means includes a second spring for driving said seconddisplacement means and said apparatus further includes drive means foroperating said pressure-applying members to move film unit therebetweenand tensioning one of said springs during movement of a film unitbetween said pressure-applying members.
 22. Photographic apparatus asdefined in claim 21 wherein said impeller means include means responsiveto movement of said film-engaging member in the direction of returnmovement of a film unit for initiating the operation of said seconddisplacement means upon movement of a film unit by said impeller meansfrom engagement with said pressure-applying members.